Naomi Osaka parades new walk-on look then cruises past Gasanova to reach Wimbledon third round
Another day, another walk-on ensemble: Naomi Osaka combined an obi belt, floral bomber jacket and a long train before easing to a 6-3 6-2 second‑round victory over Anastasia Gasanova on Wednesday, equalling her best Wimbledon run.
Fashion on the walk-on
Naomi Osaka continued to turn her Wimbledon appearances into a catwalk show, this time parading a white bomber jacket with floral embroidery, an elaborate obi belt and a floor‑grazing train as she walked from the locker room to Court 2 on Wednesday. The ensemble was a scaled‑back evolution of the full‑length “Kill Bill” kimono she had worn two days earlier, yet it still stopped photographers and spectators in their tracks.
I wasn’t able to wear that the first day so I’m just trying to mix it up a little bit.
Osaka explained that her fashion risks are driven by a philosophy of experimentation rather than a fixed plan.
I feel like my inspiration can be anything. I took a trip to Japan one day and you go to Harajuku and see everyone expressing themselves through clothes. It was just so cool and colourful.
- Osaka wears ‘Kill Bill’ inspired kimono, beats Elsa Jacquemot in first round.
- Osaka sports white jacket with train and obi, defeats Anastasia Gasanova 6‑3 6‑2 in second round.
On the court
Once the accessories were peeled away, Osaka required just one hour and seven minutes to dismantle Russian qualifier Anastasia Gasanova 6‑3, 6‑2. After cruising through the first set, she shifted up a gear in the second, breaking for a 4‑2 lead with a powerful overhead smash and never looking back. The result equalled her best Wimbledon run, taking the 14th seed to the third round for the fourth time in her career.
Post‑match thoughts
Speaking after the match, Osaka revealed that a more personal deadline was on her mind: her daughter’s third birthday on Thursday.
Tomorrow is my daughter’s birthday. I just wanted to be here for longer. I don’t want to make her get on a plane on her birthday. I was really happy about today.
The 28‑year‑old also opened up about the contradiction between her reserved personality and her attention‑grabbing entrances, explaining that she deliberately courts the spotlight to inoculate herself against nerves.
I do feel a little bit of nerves. I kind of want to make myself so used to that feeling that it doesn’t bother me anymore. The Australian Open was me throwing myself head first into it… ever since then I’ve been pretty chill about it.
What comes next
Osaka will attempt to break new ground at the All England Club when she faces either Australian Daria Kasatkina or Indonesian Janice Tjen in the third round on Friday. Having never progressed beyond the last 32 at Wimbledon, she signalled that her wardrobe – and her confidence – would continue to evolve as the fortnight unfolds.
